S. A. FrancisDivision of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University; United States

Dr. Francis has over thirteen years of experience working in the public health field. Dr. Francis has substantial experience developing and leading original research activities both through academic and private venues and has secured both extramural and intramural grants and contracts via the National Institute of Health (NIH), academic, and private organizations. In addition to her domestic public health experience, Dr. Francis also has extensive global health experience having conducted research in Guyana, South America, Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, and Harare, Zimbabwe. Dr. Francis is currently a co-investigator on a project based in Harare, Zimbabwe that seeks 1) to assess the psycho-social and environmental factors associated with engaging in abrasive vaginal practices and 2) adapt and pilot test an intervention that seeks to reduce and/or cease abrasive vaginal practices. She has written extensively on global health, chronic disease and HIV prevention, health disparities, and maternal and child health.

F. M. GriffithAssistant Professor of Sociology/Anthropology Fareeda McClinton Griffith joined the faculty in 2009. She received her B.A. in Sociology with summa cum laude honors from Paine College. She received a M.A. in Demography and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her interests include Sociology of Education; Demographic Trends in South Africa (Fertility and Residential Segregation); Racial Inequality in the United States and South Africa; School Attainment; Comparative Studies; Sociology of Race and Ethnicity; Quantitative Methodology.

“My research interests are driven by the desire to understand society from a transnational perspective. My dissertation entitled "Race and Space in Post- Apartheid South Africa, 1996-2001" focuses on examining race, residential segregation, socioeconomic characteristics, and chronic health conditions in three distinct areas in South Africa: Pretoria, Johannesburg and Vereeniging (PJV). The three different racial compositions of each region provide three sociological lenses of understanding the impact of apartheid. I have a forthcoming article in the Southern African Journal of Demography in which, I analyze the current levels of race and residential segregation in the province of Gauteng. I utilize social capital as the theoretical framework to understand the social phenomenon from a South African perspective. The post-apartheid analysis of the most comprehensive census data sets reveals new patterns of residential segregation levels and explanations for understanding current race relations in South Africa. Using post-apartheid South African census data, I examine the level of racial residential segregation at the micro-level in the province of Gauteng using 1996 and 2001 individual and household level data.

K. A. LeserGraduate Student
The Ohio State University
College of Public Health
Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion

Abstract

This pilot study examined Somali women's perception of health/access to care, examined their knowledge and attitudes about cancer prevention, and discussed strategies to improve service provision and education.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, twelve face-to-face interviews were conducted with Somali women ages 18 and older, residing in a mid-western city. Open coding was used to categorize and reflect the interview statements and to identify reoccurring themes.

Somali women are concerned about a variety of health issues and cited the role of culture and religion in developing prevention strategies. Participants emphasized the use of religious leaders, health care advocates, oral traditions, and translators in providing culturally appropriate health care services.

Religion and culture play a prominent role in the Somali community and impact beliefs about health and wellness. Health practitioners need to work closely with individuals and community leaders to tailor services that are culturally appropriate and accessible.

Noor, H. (2011). Somali Community Project: Access and utilization of health care services for the Somali population living in Columbus, OH. Developed with support from the Columbus Public Health Office of Minority Health. City of Columbus, OH.